Wie fires 5-over 77 in LPGA tourney

Advertiser Staff, News Services

Michelle Wie, playing her 10th hole of the day, takes aim at the pin on No. 1. She birdied the par-4 hole. Associated Press

Wie told reporters yesterday she plans to make a trip to Disney World this month before returning to Honolulu to start the eighth grade at Punahou School.

Wie, 12, shot an opening-round 77 at the par-72 Tartan Fields Golf Club in the LPGA event at Dublin, Ohio.

She's in a tie for 100th in the field of 144 and is in danger of missing the 36-hole cut.

However, she said that she's enjoying the experience of playing with professionals.

"They just told me to have fun because I'm so young," Wie said.

Mhairi McKay shot a 65 to take a one-stroke lead over local favorite Rosie Jones, a former Ohio State golfer.

Wie, playing in her third LPGA tournament of the year, had one double bogey, four bogeys and a birdie on the 6,279-yard course.

She averaged 285 yards on her drives, hitting 10 fairways and reaching nine greens in regulation. She needed 31 putts to complete her round, and did not three-putt any hole.

Starting in the afternoon at the 10th tee, Wie parred the first two holes before bogeying the par-4 12th. She double-bogeyed the par-3 15th to make the turn in 3-over 38.

Wie birdied the par-4 first, but took bogeys on Nos. 2, 5 and 8 for a 2-over 39.